Our group visited the farmer’s market in Pioneer Park on August 26, 2011, and it really was very memorable, and a wonderful experience. It was bright and early on a Saturday morning, and while it seemed very early to us, many people had been up for hours preparing for the event of the day. Every Saturday in August and into September, farmers from all around Salt Lake City and beyond gather in different locations to sell what they have been working so hard all summer to grow. At the market, people from all walks of life gather to taste and purchase all of the wonderful things to buy, and talk to the vendors about their work. The farmer’s market is something that is looked forward to every year, by farmers and customers alike. It is a great tradition that encourages buying local, healthy produce, community togetherness, and gaining knowledge about other people and their lives.
The farmer’s market is definitely a community event, and it was fun to go with our whole group and experience it together. Other people who go are the farmers, and people who want to get the produce. We noticed that the people who were experienced got there around the time we did, because they knew that the good stuff would be gone if they waited too long. The main message conveyed by the market is that of a welcoming environment, and the idea that all people should have the chance to have access to the wonderful foods and crafts. It means a lot to the farmers and artists who set up shop, because they are able to get their names to the public, and make money after putting in a lot of hard work. This is a very social place. All of the farmers were more than happy to share their knowledge with our group, and I was very impressed at all they had to offer. I definitely learned a lot, especially about tomatoes, and the expertise it takes to be successful in this business. People interact very cheerfully at the market. Perhaps it is the warm sunshine, or the fact that morning people are usually cheerful anyways, but given how busy it was, there has a lot of happiness going on. It didn’t seem to matter who had a lot of money, and who didn’t. Everyone was dressed to walk around outside comfortably, and it didn’t matter where you lived or worked, just that you were at the market to do business. Everyone interacted with each other pleasantly, and although some competition could be seen between vendors, it was all extremely civil and in good fun. A lot of families come to the market to be together, and the children (and college kids) especially enjoyed all the free samples to be had!
The location of a farmer’s market it usually outside, and Pioneer Park does seem to have a reputation for where the homeless people gather, but it was very clean, and seemed to be cleared out for the market. This particular park does not have any sculptures or graffiti, but it is right across the street from the Muslim church, and among many of the older, historic buildings of Salt Lake City. The park, especially during market time, is a landmark location, and is central to the activities of the people around it, especially on Saturday mornings. We noticed that many activists use the market as a place to spread information, because so many people come to the event. Many organizations gave us free stuff, and shared what they stood for, such as a man at a table from an environmentalist group. No one wanted to push their opinions on anyone; they just wanted to get the word out. Overall, we had a great time learning about this culture of the city, which not everyone takes part in, but a lot of people do, and they seem to thoroughly enjoy it.
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